Profile - Guy Mercer

A combative, hard hitting flanker, Guy Mercer was promoted from the Bath Rugby Academy to the senior squad at the beginning of this season.

A Bath boy through and through, he used to spend his Saturday's watching the team he is now running out for.

Quickly rising through the ranks at Bath Rugby, and earning plaudits across the country, Guy was selected by broadcasters ESPN as their Man of the Match for the match against Wasps last season – a fantastic achievement considering it was his first Premiership start!

A hard hitting, physical player, Guy quickly adapted to life in the top flight of rugby last season, making six starts and eight appearances off the bench for the Bath Rugby First team.

As well as finding time to write a column for the matchday programme, Guy has hit the ground running so far this season, taking advantage of the World Cup absentees to really stake a claim to the starting 7 shirt.

Despite making some appearances for the first team last season, this is your first official year in the senior squad having made the step up from the Academy, how are you finding it?

It's been good so far. I love getting game time and getting to play, so some of the other back rows being away with the World Cup has been well timed for me, as it's helped me get a few run outs at the start of the season.

You are obviously very enthusiastic about the game itself, what is it that you love so much?

Winning! You have to work so hard to win, and there is something really special about 30 or so people, both those on and off the pitch, collectively achieving something together.

How did you get into playing rugby?

I started out playing at Corsham minis, and then when we were a bit older, my older brother, Ben, was in the Academy, so I think I piggy backed off him a little bit, but Frank (Butler, Academy Manager) scooped me up after county rugby.

You're a Bath boy born and bred, and have supported the Club since you were young, what is it that you love so much about the city and the Club?

I love that Bath isn't a run of the mill city. It's unique, and the rugby club is the same. Over the years Bath have played entertaining rugby that you won't see anywhere else. Players like Butch James, Joe Maddock, Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, Elvis Seveali'i and Bendy (Nick Abendanon) have all epitomised that style of play, and in Bendy's case, still does.

As a younger player, how does it feel to be running out and training with the likes of Lewis Moody and Simon Taylor? Do you think you benefit from working with them?

Simon pretty much just throws balls at me when I'm not looking and Lewis is good for my fitness, chasing him round everywhere! On a more serious note, it's great training with them. They're both Lions, have represented their countries, and are good guys too so having the privilege of learning from them and competing with them is hugely beneficial to my game.

Speaking of Lewis, what has it been like having the international boys back in training – there's going to be a lot of competition for places in the back-row now isn't there?

The competition is crazy yeah. I think there is just me and Skusey (Will Skuse) who haven't played international rugby now! Si, Lewis, Skirvs (Ben Skirving), Flo (Francois Louw), Fearnsy (Carl Fearns) have all played for their country, and then there's Beast (Andy Beattie) who has 200+ caps for Bath, so it's going to be a headache area for the coaches, but hopefully a good one!

Moving away from rugby, what can we find you doing, do you have any particular hobbies?

Outside rugby I try to do little projects to keep me busy and I'm always thinking of schemes to make cash money – some more successful than others! I think BRtv have recently shown you some of my attempts.

** The open Captains Run at the Rec scheduled for this Friday ahead of our trip to London Irish has been postponed as this will now take place up at Farleigh House. We will keep you posted as to the when the new date will be.